The Supreme Court observed that women constitute the 'largest minority' in India, making up 48.44% of the population, yet their representation in Parliament is receding. A Bench led by Justice B.V. Nagarathna was hearing a petition challenging the implementation delay of the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' (106th Amendment Act). The Act, which grants 33% reservation to women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, is tied to the conduct of the next Census and subsequent delimitation. The Court questioned the lack of a specific timeline for the Census, noting that a Constitutional amendment cannot be held back indefinitely.
- Women form 48.44% of the total population but lack adequate political representation in Parliament and State legislatures.
- The 106th Amendment Act provides 33% reservation, but its implementation is linked to the next Census and delimitation exercise.
- Article 15(3) of the Constitution mandates the State to take affirmative action and make special provisions for the empowerment of women.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has unveiled the India AI Governance Guidelines to regulate Artificial Intelligence. The 66-page document outlines a risk-based approach, focusing on accountability, fairness, and transparency. It recommends establishing communication channels between ministries and regulators and suggests an inter-ministerial 'AI Governance Group.' The guidelines emphasize building AI models for Indian languages using local datasets and integrating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) with AI. While the government currently follows a hands-off approach to pre-emptive regulation, it remains open to passing stringent laws if circumstances evolve, particularly regarding deepfakes and intellectual property rights.
- India is currently the world's second-largest user of Large Language Models (LLMs) after the U.S.
- The guidelines propose a risk-based framework focusing on 'people-centricity' and 'accountability' in AI models.
- A proposed 'AI Governance Group' would serve as the overarching inter-ministerial body for regulation.
The Supreme Court has directed municipal authorities to relocate stray dogs from public places to shelters for sterilization and vaccination. This order emphasizes the 'fundamental duty' of citizens under Article 51A(g) to have compassion for living creatures. However, the implementation faces challenges regarding infrastructure and the balance between animal rights and human safety. The court cited Section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which mandates the well-being of animals. Previous judgments, like Animal Welfare Board of India vs A. Nagaraja, established that all living creatures have inherent dignity and a right to live peacefully, free from unnecessary suffering.
- Article 51A(g) of the Constitution mandates compassion for living creatures as a fundamental duty of every citizen.
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, requires persons in charge of animals to ensure their well-being.
- The court seeks to balance animal compassion with the human right to life and safety under Article 21.
The Union Home Ministry has officially rejected the demand for a Union Territory with a legislative assembly by Kuki-Zo insurgent groups in Manipur. During tripartite talks held on November 6-7, representatives of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) groups, including the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and United People’s Front (UPF), argued that coexistence within Manipur was no longer possible due to ethnic violence. The Centre emphasized maintaining Manipur's territorial integrity while seeking a negotiated political settlement within the Indian Constitution. The SoO pact, in place since 2008, remains the primary framework for dialogue despite recent tensions and the refusal of the state government to extend it.
- The demand for a separate Union Territory was raised by 24 insurgent groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact.
- The Centre maintains that current policy does not support the creation of new Union Territories in the region.
- Insurgent groups highlighted historical justifications, claiming Kuki-Zo Hills were never under the Manipur State Durbar's control.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in nine States and three Union Territories. This massive exercise aims to create a clean and updated electoral roll, particularly in states heading for elections in 2025 and 2026. The SIR involves door-to-door verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to remove duplicates and include new voters. While the process is technically demanding, it is crucial for ensuring the integrity of the democratic process. The article notes challenges like migration and citizenship issues in border states like West Bengal and Assam.
- The SIR is the first such intensive revision in 21 years, covering over 51 crore electors across 1,843 Assembly constituencies.
- The ECI's goal is to ensure 'zero appeals' by making the process transparent and involving political parties at the field level.
- Article 326 of the Constitution defines an elector as an equal truth to Article 324 in running elections.
The Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan clarified that Governor R.N. Ravi reserved 10 Bills for the President's consideration, citing conflicts with University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. This clarification aimed to counter claims of intentional delays in the legislative process. Out of 211 Bills received between September 2021 and October 2025, the Governor granted assent to 170 (81%). Of the 27 Bills reserved for the President, 16 were at the State government's request. The Governor emphasized that his actions align with constitutional duties to uphold the rule of law and protect the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu.
- The Governor reserved 10 Bills for the President, citing conflicts with central UGC regulations framed under an Act of Parliament.
- Statistically, 81% of Bills received by the Governor's office were granted assent, totaling 170 out of 211.
- The Governor's office stated that 16 Bills were reserved for the President specifically at the request of the State government.
The article critiques the candidate nomination process under the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951, highlighting how procedural technicalities often overshadow actual qualifications. Returning Officers (ROs) possess significant discretion to reject nominations for 'defects of a substantial character,' which can be arbitrary. Recent high-profile cases where candidates were eliminated before polling underscore the need for reform. Proposed solutions include a digital-by-default nomination system for automatic validation and a mandatory 48-hour window for candidates to rectify minor errors, ensuring that the right to contest is not unfairly curtailed.
- Sections 33 to 36 of the RPA 1951 govern the nomination and scrutiny process for elections.
- ROs often reject nominations for minor errors in affidavits or no-dues certificates, which should be rectifiable.
- The Supreme Court in Resurgence India vs. ECI (2013) held that ROs must ensure all columns in affidavits are filled.
Karnataka has introduced a landmark policy providing one day of paid menstrual leave per month for women employees in both government and private sectors. This makes it the first state to cover both sectors, following Odisha and Bihar which have similar policies for government employees. The policy aims to recognize menstrual health as a legitimate workplace issue and aligns with constitutional principles of affirmative action. While widely praised, some experts express concerns about potential workplace bias and the need for broader sensitisation to prevent discrimination against women taking such leave.
- Karnataka provides 12 days of paid menstrual leave annually (one day per month).
- The policy applies to government offices, educational institutions, factories, and private firms.
- It is based on recommendations from a committee chaired by Dr. Sapna, involving extensive consultations.
The Supreme Court ruled that arrested individuals must be provided with the grounds of arrest in writing and in a language they understand. This mandate is rooted in Article 22 of the Constitution, which requires informing the arrested person of the reasons for their detention. The court specified that these grounds must be supplied within a reasonable time, and at least two hours before the individual is produced before a Magistrate. Failure to comply with this requirement renders the arrest and subsequent remand illegal, necessitating the immediate release of the person.
- Article 22 of the Constitution mandates that no person shall be detained without being informed of the grounds of arrest.
- Providing grounds in a language not understood by the accused does not fulfill constitutional requirements.
- Grounds must be provided in writing at least two hours prior to production before a Magistrate.
The Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India has launched two mobile applications—Digital Layout Map (DLM) and Census 2027-House-list—for the trial phase of the 16th Census. This will be India's first-ever digital census. A self-enumeration portal is also being tested, allowing citizens to submit details online. The apps enable enumerators to collect data on housing amenities and geo-tag households using coordinates. This transition from paper-based to digital collection aims to improve data accuracy, ensure faster processing, and provide enhanced monitoring of the census exercise scheduled for 2027.
- The 2027 Census will be India's first digital census, utilizing mobile apps for data collection.
- The Digital Layout Map (DLM) app replaces manual paper sketches with digital geo-tagging of households.
- Self-enumeration facility allows residents to submit details online prior to enumerator visits.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has excluded Assam from its nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This decision stems from the unique legal status of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, governed by Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The 2019 NRC process, monitored by the Supreme Court, concluded with the exclusion of over 19 lakh people but remains administratively stalled. The article argues that a parallel citizenship verification through SIR in Assam would create legal conflicts and risk social unrest in the state's fragile socio-political environment.
- Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, creates a distinct citizenship regime specifically for Assam.
- The 2019 NRC in Assam cost over ₹1,600 crore and involved the verification of 3.30 crore applicants.
- The Supreme Court recently upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act.
The Central government argued in the Supreme Court that the 'right to vote' is a statutory right under Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, while 'freedom of voting' is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a). This distinction arose during a petition challenging Section 53(2) of the RPA, which allows declaring candidates elected unopposed without a poll. Petitioners argue this prevents voters from exercising the NOTA option, thereby violating their right to express dissatisfaction. The Centre maintains that the right to vote is subject to statutory limitations and is not an absolute constitutional right.
- The Centre argues the right to vote is a statutory right conferred by Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- Freedom of voting is categorized as a species of the right to expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
- Section 53(2) of the RPA 1951 is being challenged for potentially violating the voters' right to exercise NOTA in uncontested elections.
The article explains the concept of 'contempt of court' in India, rooted in Articles 129 and 215 of the Constitution, which designate the Supreme Court and High Courts as 'courts of record.' The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, classifies contempt into civil (willful disobedience) and criminal (scandalizing the court). While fair criticism of a decided case is not contempt, comments that interfere with the administration of justice or lower the court's authority are punishable. The power to punish for contempt is inherent to these courts to ensure the sanctity of the judicial process and constitutional morality.
- Article 129 (Supreme Court) and Article 215 (High Courts) empower these institutions to punish for contempt of themselves.
- Civil contempt involves willful disobedience of any judgment or decree, while criminal contempt involves scandalizing or lowering the authority of the court.
- The Attorney General or Advocate General's consent is typically required for a third party to initiate criminal contempt proceedings in the Supreme Court or High Court.
The article discusses the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), a voluntary set of norms for political parties during elections. While it aims to ensure a level playing field, the author argues that it is often breached in spirit, especially through the announcement of 'ongoing' welfare schemes just before elections. The MCC is not legally binding, though some provisions can be enforced through the IPC or RP Act 1951. The article highlights the debate over making the MCC legally binding and the challenges posed by 'cash politics' and populist schemes like Bihar's MMRY, which can influence voters.
- The MCC is operational from the date of election announcement until the declaration of results to ensure fair competition.
- It is a voluntary set of norms and is not legally enforceable on its own, though specific violations can attract criminal charges under other laws.
- The 2013 Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice recommended making the MCC legally binding, but the Election Commission opposed it.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has reiterated its decision regarding the panel of candidates for the post of Director-General of Police (DGP) in Tamil Nadu. Despite the state government's representation that the three shortlisted names were not acceptable, the UPSC maintained its stance, stating the representation has been disposed of. The appointment process follows Supreme Court guidelines from the Prakash Singh case, which require the state to send eligible names to the UPSC three months before a vacancy. The delay in appointing a regular DGP has drawn criticism from opposition parties in the state.
- The UPSC is responsible for empanelling officers for the post of DGP/Head of Police Force (HoPF) based on seniority and merit.
- The selection process must adhere to Supreme Court guidelines established in the landmark Prakash Singh case.
- The Tamil Nadu government had raised objections to the UPSC's recommended panel, which included Seema Agrawal, Rajeev Kumar, and Sandeep Rai Rathore.
India has released a revised blueprint for the Green India Mission (GIM), setting an ambitious target to restore 25 million hectares of degraded forest and non-forest land by 2030. This initiative is crucial for India's climate pledge to create an additional carbon sink of up to 3.39 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. The new strategy shifts focus from mere canopy cover to biodiversity-rich landscapes, emphasizing native species over monocultures. However, challenges remain, including inconsistent funding utilization from the CAMPA fund and the need for better community participation and ecological design to ensure long-term sustainability.
- The Green India Mission aims to restore 25 million hectares of land to meet India's international carbon sink commitments.
- The revised plan prioritizes biodiversity-sensitive plantations and the restoration of diverse landscapes like the Aravalli Hills and Western Ghats.
- Financing remains a hurdle, with the CAMPA fund holding ₹95,000 crore, yet utilization by states like Delhi remains low.
The Election Commission of India has initiated the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across nine states and three Union Territories, covering approximately 51 crore voters. This exercise involves booth-level officers (BLOs) conducting door-to-door visits to distribute and collect enumeration forms. The goal is to ensure a clean and transparent electoral roll by identifying eligible voters and removing discrepancies. However, the move has faced political opposition, with some leaders alleging potential rigging and others challenging the exercise's arbitrary nature in the Supreme Court. The final electoral rolls are expected to be published by February 7.
- The SIR exercise covers 12 States and UTs including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Over 5.3 lakh booth-level officers are involved in the door-to-door enumeration process to verify voter details.
- The first phase of SIR in Bihar resulted in the deletion of over 68 lakh names from the electoral rolls earlier this year.
The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories challenging the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) decision to ban the word ‘ORS’ (Oral Rehydration Solution) for non-medical beverages. The FSSAI directive restricts the use of the label ‘ORS’ to products that meet specific medical standards, preventing fruit-based or ready-to-drink beverages from using the term. The court ruled that using ‘ORS’ for products that do not follow the WHO-recommended formula could mislead consumers and pose health risks, particularly during medical emergencies.
- The FSSAI has banned the use of the term 'ORS' for any beverage that does not meet established medical standards for Oral Rehydration Solution.
- The ruling aims to prevent consumer confusion between commercial fruit drinks and medically necessary rehydration salts.
- The Delhi High Court emphasized that labeling must be accurate to ensure public health and safety, especially for products used to treat dehydration.
The Supreme Court of India has taken a serious view of government employees feeding stray dogs within office premises, stating it violates previous orders regarding designated feeding zones. A Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath emphasized the need for effective implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, framed under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The court noted that unregulated feeding leads to public inconvenience and 'untoward incidents.' It has directed the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to be a party to the proceedings and will issue specific directions on November 7.
- The Supreme Court ruled that feeding stray dogs must be restricted to designated zones to prevent public safety issues and office disruption.
- The Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, are the primary framework for managing stray dog populations and rabies control in India.
- The court highlighted the failure of several States and UTs to submit compliance reports on the implementation of ABC Rules.
Kerala has achieved a milestone by significantly reducing extreme poverty through its meticulously planned Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP). According to NITI Aayog’s National Multidimensional Poverty Index (2023), Kerala is the least impoverished state with only 0.55% of its population being multidimensionally poor. The state's approach involved identifying 64,006 extremely poor families through trained enumerators and Kudumbashree workers. Instead of uniform solutions, custom-made micro-plans were prepared for each family, addressing specific needs like food, health, and housing. The state has now launched EPEP 2.0 to prevent relapse and ensure the sustainability of these gains.
- Kerala has the lowest multidimensional poverty rate in India at 0.55%, significantly below the national average of 14.96%.
- The Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) utilizes decentralized planning and community participation via the Kudumbashree network.
- The program focuses on 'micro-plans' tailored to the specific needs of individual families rather than generic welfare schemes.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 of electoral rolls across 12 States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala. This house-to-house enumeration process aims to clean up voter lists by identifying deaths, duplications, and new electors. A significant update is the inclusion of Aadhaar as the 12th document for proof of identity (not citizenship), as directed by the Supreme Court. The process also allows parents or relatives to sign enumeration forms in the absence of the voter. The final electoral rolls are scheduled for publication on February 7.
- The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 involves house-to-house enumeration to ensure the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls.
- Aadhaar is now accepted as a proof of identity for voter registration, following specific Supreme Court directions.
- The enumeration form has been amended to allow signatures from parents or relatives if the voter is not present during the visit.
The five-year term of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, ended on October 31, leaving the district without elected local representatives, except for the MP. Fresh elections are delayed due to ongoing talks between civil society groups (LAB and KDA) and the Union Home Ministry regarding constitutional safeguards under Article 371 or the Sixth Schedule. Additionally, the creation of new districts necessitates redrawing boundaries, further complicating the election timeline. The absence of a council impacts local governance, as each councillor manages a development fund of ₹1.5 crore for essential services like connectivity and education.
- The LAHDC, Leh, consists of 30 members, with 26 elected and 4 nominated by the Lieutenant-Governor.
- Civil society groups are demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.
- The delay is also attributed to the need for implementing a one-third reservation for women in the council.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with other ministries, has launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha in 2025. This initiative aims to educate students about the Panchayati Raj system by simulating real Gram Sabha processes in schools and colleges. Despite Article 243A defining the Gram Sabha as the foundation of local democracy, youth participation has historically been minimal. The program involves students playing roles like Sarpanch and ward members to discuss village budgets and development plans. By embedding these simulations into the curriculum, the government hopes to cultivate civic pride and active citizenship among the future generation.
- Article 243A of the Constitution defines the Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system.
- The initiative is being launched in over 1,000 schools across 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
- It aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge of democracy and practical grassroots governance.
The Karnataka government plans to set up a permanent State Water Commission to address water security and inter-state water disputes. Announced by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, the commission will consist of 10 to 15 technical experts from fields like irrigation, finance, and environmental science. Its primary role will be to assess water demand and availability, recommend measures for water security, and study irrigation systems and crop patterns. A key immediate focus will be managing the allocation of Cauvery water to Bengaluru for the next 50 years. A Bill for this is expected in the legislature shortly.
- The commission is modeled after the Central Water Commission to provide expert technical inputs.
- It will focus on long-term water planning, including a 50-year plan for Cauvery water allocation to Bengaluru.
- The body will include representatives from Irrigation and Finance departments alongside environmental experts.